Titans work out Peyton Manning

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print

Tennessee Titans general manager Ruston Webster says Peyton Manning has worked out for the team in Knoxville and a team source told ESPN's Sal Paolantonio the Titans came away "very impressed."

Webster said in a statement released by the team that Saturday morning "we traveled to Knoxville and had a workout with Peyton."

"This is another important step in the process," Webster said.

Manning spent eight hours meeting with Tennessee executives on Wednesday.

Webster was joined at Saturday's workout by Titans head coach Mike Munchak, chief operating officer Mike Reinfeldt, offensive coordinator Chris Palmer, quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains and strength coach Steve Watterson, a source told Paolantonio. The sessions was held at The Webb School, sources said.

Saturday was Manning's third workout for teams this week, but Tennessee's front office remains optimistic Manning will decide to join the Titans, a league source told Paolantonio. Titans owner Bud Adams also has offered Manning a lifetime contract. While a league source told ESPN's Paolantonio earlier Saturday that Manning was expected to make a decision by Tuesday, sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen that Manning still has not informed any of the three teams when to expect a decision.

On Friday, the four-time NFL MVP worked out at Duke for Denver. Tuesday night, he worked out at the Blue Devils' facilities for San Francisco. Manning has been rehabbing in North Carolina after a string of neck surgeries.

And the quarterback is getting good reviews.

Manning threw for Hall of Fame QB turned Broncos executive John Elway and Denver coach John Fox in a workout that lasted a little under two hours. When it was over, Elway seemed convinced Manning is still Manning.

"We enjoyed visiting with Peyton today in N.C.," Elway wrote on his Twitter account. "He threw the ball great and looked very comfortable out there."

A few minutes later, Elway posted: "Watching him throw today was the next step in this important process for our team and Peyton. It was a productive visit and went well."

Manning, who turns 36 on March 24, missed the 2011 season with the neck injury, which led to him being released by Indianapolis.

Duke football coach David Cutcliffe said Manning looks good.

Cutcliffe, who was Manning's offensive coordinator at the University of Tennessee, said Saturday morning that Manning has been throwing at "game pace."

After Duke's scrimmage, Cutcliffe said the quickness of Manning's release has impressed him.

"He never ceases to amaze me," he said.

Manning also continues to amaze NFL types.

Adams declared earlier this month he wanted the quarterback and felt Manning could be the missing piece to a championship team.

Adams has said he thought Manning would make a quick decision, and the quarterback seems to want it over quickly. He worked out Saturday even though it was his anniversary; Manning married his wife, Ashley, on St. Patrick's Day in 2001 in Memphis.

Manning worked out for the 49ers on Tuesday night at Duke in Durham, N.C., league sources previously told ESPN's Mortensen and ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman witnessed the passing session described by a source as "very impressive" -- enough so that the 49ers sent a doctor to Durham to conduct a physical exam Wednesday.

While contract parameters have been discussed, extensive negotiations involving contract language also must be completed. Sources told Mortensen and Schefter that Manning will provide any team that signs him with appropriate financial protection in the event he suffers a setback related to his neck injuries.

Manning met with the Titans for about eight hours on a plane and at the team's facility, a session that featured a 90-minute visit from team doctor Burton Elrod. Only Adams has talked this week, and he told a Nashville TV station he believes Manning will be making a quick decision.

All of the praise for Manning's arm at this stage adds more intrigue for teams chasing the quarterback.

Said Cutcliffe: "He's throwing the ball well, and he'll get better."

Information from ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Comments0
• Email
• Print
• Subscribe